Multi-stage toy missile



July 24, 1962 1 ,.1. A. MARTIN Mmm-STAGE Toy Mrssm:

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed: May 25, 1960 wir m n A m 0 l l w July 24, 1962L. J. A. MARTIN MULTI-STAGE Toy MIssrLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25,1960 A T'ORIVEYS' July 24, 1962 L. J. A. MARTIN 3,045,392

' MULTI-STAGE TOY MIssILE Filed May 25, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 i I l Ilf/ /H W M nc d.

gaged position.

United States Patent O "1 ce 3,045,392 MULTI-STAGE TY MISSIILE LucienJean Augustin Martin, 205 Rue La Fayette,

Paris, France Fuga May 2s, 1960, ser. No. 31,631 Claims priority,application France `lune 17, 1959 8 Claims. (Cl. 46-228) The presentinvention relates to a multi-stage missile. Its object is to provide aninoffensive toy capable of amusing children while awakening theirinterest in scientilic problems of actuality for the present time aswell as for the future. l

More particularly the invention contemplates a multistage toy missilewherein each stage, except the last one, 1s provided with elastic meansadapted to eject the following stage, and with at least one catch meansadapted to retain said following stage and to be retracted at apredetermined point of the flight path.

As a result of this arrangement any particular stage ejects, whilepursuing its flight path, the next higher stage at said predeterminedpoint, whereby the toy missile constitutes a very close imitation of areal missile.

Preferably the elastic means are constituted each by a spring mountedwithin a tube adapted to receive the following stage, said tube beingprovided with at least one passage for the catch means.

As a result of this arrangement the guiding of the spring as Well as thefollowing stage is achieved by a single tube.

The various catches may be each integral with a pivotally mounted leverprovided with a surface portion cooperating with another surface portionrelative to which the stage moves, so as to maintain the catches in theen- Thus the catches are maintained in the engaged position as long assaid two4 cooperating surface portions are in contact with each other,while when reaching the point of the flight path at which the contactbetween said surface portions is disrupted, each lever becomes free toeffect a slight rotary motion, which results in setting free the stageto be ejected.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first stage includes aspring mounted Within a tube adapted to receive a launching column whichis attached to a base bearing a retaining hook adapted to engage anelongated hole provided in the tube.

The present invention thus provides a missile which is installed on afixed launching base, and the launching of which is effected .byactuating the retaining hook. Said base may further be formed with thesurface portions cooperating with the pivotally mounted levers of therst stage, and thus imitate the launching ramps.

In order to achieve the closest possible imitation of a real missile,the respective mechanisms of each stage except the last stage, aremounted within a shell provided with slots through which the leversextend outwardly so as to form lins.

It will be seen that each stage except the last one thus presents theaspect of a real missile stage, the more so as the pivotally mountedlevers may be formed with surfaces imitating the stabilizing ns.

The last stage of the missile preferably is terminated by a removablewar head imitation made of plastic material,` said war head beingadapted to seal a receptacle having perforated walls.

Owing to this arrangement, the to-y missile according to the inventionis rendered more attractive and, at the same time, inoffensive, as achild playing with the toy may introduce into the receptacle smallobjects or insects of its choice.

In another improved embodiment of the invention, electric lighting bulbsor the like may be provided on the base Y 3,045,392 VPatented July 24,1962 and on several stages of the toy missile, which bulbs may besupplied with current from batteries, and controlled by switch meansactuated by the relative movements of the stages and the base.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readilycarried into effect, reference may be made to the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIGURE l is a diagrammatic view of a toy missile according to theinvention, showing two successive stages in axial section; M

lFIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIG. l, showing another embodiment of theinvention;

FIGURE 3 shows a launching base for a toy missile according to theinvention, in vertical section;

vFIGURE 4 shows lthe launching column of the base illustrated in FIGURE3, in elevation and partially in section;

FIGURE 5 shows an axial section of the first stage of the missile;

FIGURE 6 shows the same stage, in radial section following the lineVI-VI on FIG. 5;

FIGURE 7 shows the same stage, in radial section following the line VII-VII on FIG. 5 and EFIGURE 8 shows the second stage of. the same missile,in axial section.

Referring to FIG. l, there is shown a hollow cylindrical body 1representing schematically one stage of a toy missile, and a cylindricalbody 2 engaged in the lirst cylindrical body and representing thefollowing stage of the missile. Cylindrical body Z is formed with a bead3 at its base. Numeral 4 designates a spring; two levers 5 are pivotallymounted at 6 on a ring integral with cylindrical body 1 and providedwith catches 7. It will be observed that the catches have upwardly andinwardly inclined lower surfaces. The whole assembly is located betweentwo sliding surfaces 8.`

The basic mechanism described as follows:

When stage 1 moves in the direction indicated by arrow F the lower edgesof levers 5 slide along the surfaces 8. Spring 4 is compressed by stage2 and is unable to expand as said stage is locked into position bycatches 7. However, as the lower edges of levers 5 leave the surfaces 8,said levers 5 'are set -free and effect a pivotal motion as is indicatedby arrows f, under the effect of spring 4 acting on catches 7; saidspring then expands and projects, or ejects, stage 2 while stage 1pursues its flight path.

hereinabove operates Due to the inclination of the lower surfaces` ofcatches 7,

the force exerted by the spring 4 in the direction F includes acomponent acting perpendicular to said lower surfaces and thus forcessaid catches outwardly to release stage 2,. i

Referring now to FIGURE Z it will be seen that -this ligure shows thesame lcomponents, las those illustrated in FIG. l, lsimilar parts beingdesignated by identical numer-als. However, in this embodiment thelevers 5 :are pivotally mounted at ta point 6 located between thecatches 7 and the respective ends of the levers, and the sliding surface8 is located between the levers. In this construction, when levers 5reach the end of sur-face 8, their rotary motion resulting from theaction of spring 4 will be in the direction indicated by arrows f',while the operation of the other components is the same as hereabovedescribed.

FIGURES 3 to 8 show an embodiment of the invention wherein -the -toyconsists essentially of a launching base, ta first missile stage 'and Iasecond missile stage.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 3 and 4, the launching base will lirstbe described hereafter; this launching base is constituted essentiallyYby a socket 9, a launching column 10 and two launching ramps 11 and 11.The socket is constituted by :a block formed with a central recess 12which communicates wi-th an opening and which is .adapted to receive anelectric battery 13 maintained by means of tongues 14 .and 14 attachedto the socket by screws 15 and 15'. 16 and 16' are contact strips. Atits lower surface the socket is covered by a plate 17. The launchingcolumn 10 is -constituted by a cylindrical tube vertically mounted andbearing a perforated sleeve 18 enclosing la lighting bulb 19 screwedinto a screw socket 20. Numerals 21 and 22 designate the electricconnection. Tube 10 is mounted upon socket 9 by means of a sleeve 23formed with two lugs 24 and a projection 25; an laxis extending throughthe two lugs constitutes a pivot for a lever 27 provided with atrigger-like extension 28, a hook 29 at its upper end and a nose 30 atits lower end. The nose 30 cooperates with the projection 25 of sleeve23 to maintain `a return spring 26.

The launching ramps 11 `and 11 are constituted by two U-shaped guidesmounted in a vertical position on the socket 9, on both lsides of thelaunching column, the open ends of the Us facing each other. Thelaunching ramps are attached to socket 9 by means of corner plates 31and 31 and of screws 32, 32 and 34.

The launching base hereinabove described operates in the followingmanner:

The electric circuit supplying lighting bulb 10 with current from thebattery 13 includes a press button switch 33 and ramps 11, 11.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 showing the first stage of the toymissile, it is'seen that said stage is constituted essentially by ashell 35, a tube 36 and levers 37, 37. Shell 35 has a substantiallycylindrical shape except at its upper end which is of frusto-conicalshape. The lower end of the stage is provided with two slots 38 and 38'.The central tube 36 is concentric with respect to the shell and extendsover the whole height of the stage; central tube I36 is provided with alongitudinal slot 36', two oppose elongated holes 39 `and 39" and oneelongated hole 40. Tube 36 encloses a helical spring 41, and a shaft 42connected with the tube extends transversally through said springdividing the same into two independent elastic sections of differentlength. Levers 37 yand 37 'are pivotally mounted at 43 land 43 andprovided with catches 44, 44 located at the same level as the elongatedholes 39, 39'. The lower portions of said levers are for-med withenlarged extensions forming fins 45, 45 the outer edges of which areindicated at 46, 46. The assembling of the stage is carried out by meansof two identical collars 47, 4S encircling tube 36 and made integral, bywelding or the like, with shell 35, while `the rivets of collar 47constitute the pivot Iaxis of the levers. The stage further includes aguiding element 49 for the levers, which is attached to the tube bymeans of shaft 42.

This guiding element is constituted by four guiding flanges mounted onIa collar.

The second stage illustrated in FIG. 8 consists essentially of a tube 59sealed at its upper end by a war head imitation 60 made of rubber, andat its lower end by a plug 61. This tube has in its medium portion aradial wall 62 which divides the tube into an upper part having aperforated wall and a lower part provided with slots 63 facing alighting bulb 64. This bulb is mounted on a socket 65 behind which abattery 66 is located, the whole bulb, socket and battery assembly beingmaintained between two spring 67 and 68. The electric circuit iscompleted by a press button switch 69 the button of which projectsthrough the tube 59. j

The toy missile described hereinbefore is operated in the followingmanner: first, the second stage is introduced into the tube 36 of thefirst stage, button 69A sliding in the slot 36 and thus constituting aguiding element.

Spring 41 is compressed until the catches 44 and 44 engage the slotsl63. The second stage is maintained by the first stage, and the whole-assembly is then installed on lthe launching base; surface portions 46'and 46 of the ribs slide along the launching ramps 11 and 11', thuslocking the second stage in place, while column 10 is introduced intothe tube 36 (whereby spring 41 is cornpressed) until the whole assemblyis locked by engagement of hook 29 with the elongated hole 40.

The toy is now ready to operate.

When trigger 28 is depressed, spring 41 is extended and projects themissile; the fins slide along the launching ramps. As the fins reach theend of these ramps, the pressure of spring 41 dsengages the second stagefrom catches 44. The second stage is then ejected by the extension lof.spring 41.

It will be understood that the portion of spring 41 which ejects thesecond stage is considerably smaller in length than the portioneffecting the projection of the first stage and that consequently thedecelerating force exterted on this stage by the ejection of the secondstage does not result in substantially decelerating its flight. Thefirst stage thus will pursue its flight while the second stage will beejected at a higher speed than that of the first stage.

It will also be understood that during the launching phase the electriccircuit supplying lighting lbulb 19 is closed as the electric connectionbetween 11 and 11' is established by the missile itself. Bulb 19 thuswill be lighted during the whole launching phase. Similarly, button 69closes the circuit for bulb I64 which will thus be lighted.

It may be noted further that during the iiight of the first stage theoutput movement of the fins is limited by the associated lever portionextending 'above their respective pivot axis. Indeed, if said fins werespread apart too widely this would disturb the resemblance with a realmissile.

Children thus have at their disposal a toy imitating a real missile andwhich is rendered particularly attractive by the possibility ofintroducing into the receptacle 59 various objects or animalsrepresenting the passengers of the missile, and by the furtherpossibility to equip the missile with an assembly imitating a parachute.

In this case, the folded parachute may be located within a cone which isvery loosely fitted in the last stage so as to disengage therefromduring the descent; said cone preferably is provided with air passagesadapted to activate the opening of the parachute.

Furthermore, it lies within the scope of the present invention toprovide the shell of the first stage with fins bear-ing at their end aring coaxial with the missile and being adapted to limit the pivotalmovement of the fins constituted by the above ment-ioned levers.

The utilisation of the toy may be facilitated by a mechanism adapted tolock temporarily the second stage in place of the first stage, saidmechanism including for instance a hook adapted to prevent one of thefins to execute its outward movement, said hook being disengaged afterthe missile has been installed on the base.

Ity should be well understood that the scope of the invention is by nomeans limited by the embodiments hereinabove described. Thus the numberof stages is, of course, not limited to two; the means ,for the ejectionof the different stages may be constituted by elements different fromthe described levers and may be provided, for example, with a timingdevice, or time-delay device. Similarly, the lighting bulbs may belocated at points different from those indicated hereinabove. Especiallythe bulb located within the launching column might be mounted on thefirst stage.

What I claim is:

1. A multi-stage toy missile comprising: a launching base; a missilehaving at least two stages, the first of said stages having elasticmeans permanently mounted thereon, the second stage including meansslidable with respect to said first stage and engageable with saidelastic means whereby said elastic means when in a deformed condition is`adapted to eject said second stage from said first stage; selectivelyoperable means for propelling said rst stage away from said launchingbase; and lever means pivotally mounted on `said rst stage, said levermeans having catch means engageable with said second stage for holdingsaid second stage on said rst stage, said elastic means when ydeformedurging pivotal movement of said lever means to move said catch means outof engagement with said second stage; and guide means on said baseengageable with said lever means for preventing pivotal movement thereofin response to the urging of said elastic means until said rst stage hasmoved a predetermined distance away from said launching base.

2. A multi-stage toy missile comprising a launching base; a missilehaving at least two stages, the iirst stage having an elongated internalopening; a spring permanently mounted within said opening; the secondstage including means telescopically receivable within said opening forcompressing said spring; lever means pivotally mounted on said rst stageoutside of said internal opening, said lever means having catch meansextendable into said internal opening and engageable with said secondstage to hold same within said internal opening, said spring whencompressed urging said catch means out of said internal opening tothereby effect pivotal movement of said lever means; selectivelyoperable means for propelling said rst stage away from said launchingbase; and guide means on said base engageable With said lever means forpreventing pivotal movement thereof in response to the urging of saidspring until said rst stage has moved a predetermined distance away fromsaid launching base.

3. A multi-stage toy missile `according lto claim 2 including apivotally mounted retaining hook on said base and means on .said rststage for engaging said hook.

4. A multi-stage toy missile comprising a launching base; a plurality ofstages, each stage except the last one having an internal opening with aspring permanently mounted therewithin, the succeeding stage beingtelescopically receivable within said opening for compression of thespring therewithin; a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on eachstage except the last one, each lever including a catch extending intosaid internal opening for engaging and holding the succeeding stagewithin said opening, said spring urging said catch out of said openingthereby effect pivotal movement of said levers; selectively operablemeans for propelling said stages as a unit away from said launchingbase; and guide means engaging said levers to prevent pivotal movementthereof until the stage on which said levers are mounted has reached apredetermined point in its iight path.

5. A multi-stage toy missile according to claim 4 wherein said laststage has a light bulb therein in the portion thereof which istelescoped within the internal opening in the preceding stage; and aswitch for controlling the lighting of said bulb.

6. A multi-stage toy missile according to claim 4 wherein said stagesare free from connection to each other except for said catches wherebyeach stage may follow an independent flight path when it becomesdisconnected from the other stages.

7. A multi-stage toy missile according to claim 4 Wherein said leversare iin-shaped and extend outwardly through slot means in the externalsurface of the stage in which they are mounted.

8. A multi-stage toy missile, according to claim 4 yincluding a lightbulb in said launching base and switch means operated in response toplacing of the missile on said base for lighting said bulb, said switchmeans automatically turning off said bulb when the missile isv launched.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

